I spent a couple days comparing a Scott CR-1 ($3800) and Specialized Roubaix Elite SRAM Apex ($1800). The Scott is the SL frame, and has had SRAM Red and SRAM S30 wheelsets installed (not clear why but that's what it is). The Roubaix weighs in at a bit over 19 lbs, and the CR1 is 15 lbs. I'm 245 lbs, and am making this purchase to get back into lots of riding to lose weight and have fun.
The difference when comparing these bikes is very dramatic. When I get on the Scott and start pedaling, it's like it takes very little pressure to get going. Light pedal pressure. Like I'm starting downhill. When I get on the Roubaix and start going, it's like the cranks don't want to move, or I'm starting on an uphill or in quicksand. (tried different gears as the Roubaix has larger cogs on cassette).
Add my 245 to 15 lbs, and we're 260 on the Scott, 264 on the Roubaix. That's a 1.5% weight difference which shouldn't be noticeable as I ride around. I would say the difference in effort needed to get underway is more like 30% (I'm probably wrong but subjectively that's how I feel). They feel different all the time when riding, it's just most noticeable when starting off. The Roubaix is sluggish and effortful.
Is it the lighter wheels' inertia? Or just the overall weight? The cranks are carbon on the Scott and alloy on the Roubaix. Could it be crank stiffness?
I'm just baffled.
Thanks,
Jim
The difference when comparing these bikes is very dramatic. When I get on the Scott and start pedaling, it's like it takes very little pressure to get going. Light pedal pressure. Like I'm starting downhill. When I get on the Roubaix and start going, it's like the cranks don't want to move, or I'm starting on an uphill or in quicksand. (tried different gears as the Roubaix has larger cogs on cassette).
Add my 245 to 15 lbs, and we're 260 on the Scott, 264 on the Roubaix. That's a 1.5% weight difference which shouldn't be noticeable as I ride around. I would say the difference in effort needed to get underway is more like 30% (I'm probably wrong but subjectively that's how I feel). They feel different all the time when riding, it's just most noticeable when starting off. The Roubaix is sluggish and effortful.
Is it the lighter wheels' inertia? Or just the overall weight? The cranks are carbon on the Scott and alloy on the Roubaix. Could it be crank stiffness?
I'm just baffled.
Thanks,
Jim